All go for Southern Hemisphere's biggest breakbeat festival

16.12.08

Phat 09, the largest music festival in the Southern Hemisphere for the breakbeat music genre, is all set to bring the noise for New Years Eve.

Located at Inangahua, inland from Westport on the South Island's West Coast, the event expects to draw 5000 revellers from all over New Zealand. The Phat festival has also introduced some interesting and exciting new initiatives to keep the punters happy.

In keeping with the maxim that comfort is paramount, not only did Phat 09 organisers Dave White and Selena Coombes invest $80,000 on site improvements to ensure hot showers and top-notch toilet facilities, Phat 09 is offering a Day Spa service with registered massage and chiropractic therapists to help revive the body and awaken the senses.

The line-up boasts some of New Zealand and the world's most in-demand electronica performers, including the world's best drum'n'bass DJ Andy C with MC Lowqui, Dieselboy and Messinian (USA), dubstep supremos Skream and Benga, and the innovative masters of electronica Noisia (Netherlands).

An important aspect of the Phat 09 festival is its commitment to reducing the harm caused by alcohol and other drugs. Phat has developed the PACE initiative, which aims to provide information to encourage young people to have responsible attitudes towards partying.

Phat will employ a PACE team to both help educate young people about the risks of alcohol and other drugs and to provide assistance and counselling in the advent of problematic behaviour. The programme was developed with the assistance of Nelson-based health initiative Hype, a Health Action programme to support young people at events.

The economics of the Phat 09 festival are considerable for the local and regional economy. Research from Phat indicates that each attendee spends an additional $200 on average during their time in the region on food, transport and additional accommodation.

A total of 627 people will be employed by Phat to assist with security, traffic management, artist assistance, drivers, technical crew, site maintenance, café and bar staff and other contractors. Much of this money through employment is returned to the local economy.

Phat 09: New Year's Eve festivalInangahua, West Coast
December 30 - January 2